Football 2013-2014

[Gnomicide]

The Old Trafford faithful are still behind their man though....

[kaosmark2]

Some tasty ties in the FA Cup draw.

Arsenal - Spurs stands out, I think Man U will comfortably beat Swansea, I can't see them worrying too heavily about the cups with Europa distractions and stuttering league form. Happy to get a home game against a non-top team, Cardiff could cause us problems but any home draw is a plus. Middlesborough - Hull as a Championship vs Prem derby.

[thetime]

Is it me or do Liverpool play Oldham every year in the cup competitions?

[thetime]

UTD could always do a Liverpool/Chelsea and win the Champions League...

And how bad are Chelsea doing at the mo???

[thetime]

Good result that for Chelsea and city, could be a great game next week between city v arsenal.

[kaosmark2]

Better result for Arsenal than Man U had

I don't think you can really see a draw against Everton as a particularly bad result.

[Bobs]

I think Everton were unlucky not to win. It's not very often that a team will go to the Emirates and play them off the park, for large periods of the game like Everton did today. Understandably so, I think a draw was the fair result, as neither side deserved to lose.

So refreshing to have a positive manager, who goes into every game trying to win. United fans, you can keep Moyes forever Our main focus now is 3 points next week against Fulham, with no Barry or McCarthy, we'll have to be on top of our game to win, however bad Fulham are on the road.

[kaosmark2]

Arsenal were the better team second half though. A draw is definitely fair.

with no Barry or McCarthy,

[Bobs]

Arsenal were the better team second half though. A draw is definitely fair.

Weren't you lauding your superior squad depth?

Edited December 8, 2013 by Bobs

[pink_triangle]

I'm far from convinced we'll get top 4 but it is more fun not being completely rubbish again.

[Bobs]

Deulofeu was a great signing for Everton , interestingly heard that they have to pay Barcelona a fine everytime he doesn't play, not heard (or know if its true) of this type of deal before but suppose it makes sense from their perspective. Im really enjoying watching Everton this season, in my opinion of the teams around the top they have been the second (behind Arsenal) most consistent side. Most of the other teams have had peaks and troughs but Everton have looked quite steady to me.

[pink_triangle]

. But it's nice for people to take notice. We've been hard to beat, and players deserve all the credit. If we maintain the push, we seriously could push the top 4, but it'll take a lot.

[pink_triangle]

What has surprised me with most of the discussion about the draw I have heard is how much confidence people in this country have in the European teams following the world cup draw with many seemingly thinking only 2 or 3 will fail to get to round 2.

Looking at previous tournaments

2002 6 out of 15 European sides out in the groups

2006 4 out of 14 European sides out in the groups.

2010 7 out of 13 European sides out in the groups.

Taking this into account and the fact the world cup is out of Europe I don't see the groups being as straight forward for the European sides as many others do.

[kaosmark2]

For all Everton's great form, it must be a worry to fans that 3 of their best performers are on loan.

[Bobs]

My main concern for you is that Im not sure you have enough goals in the squad and a couple of injuries could leave you screwed. Then again I have the same concerns about Liverpool, man utd and Spurs!

[Bobs]

For all Everton's great form, it must be a worry to fans that 3 of their best performers are on loan.

[kaosmark2]

What has surprised me with most of the discussion about the draw I have heard is how much confidence people in this country have in the European teams following the world cup draw with many seemingly thinking only 2 or 3 will fail to get to round 2.

Looking at previous tournaments

2002 6 out of 15 European sides out in the groups

2006 4 out of 14 European sides out in the groups.

2010 7 out of 13 European sides out in the groups.

Taking this into account and the fact the world cup is out of Europe I don't see the groups being as straight forward for the European sides as many others do.

[kaosmark2]

It's concerning. But realistically, Barry will stay beyond the end of the season and Barkley, Howard and McCarthy have all been brilliant this year, as have Coleman and in the brief glimpses of what we've seen so far, Oviedo.

[Bobs]

I agree. Looking at the groups myself:

A: Brazil + anyone

B: Spain + Netherlands/Chile

C: Anyone. Hope it's not Greece.

D: Uruguay + Italy/England

E: France + Switzerland/Ecuador

F: Argentina + anyone

G: Germany + Portugal/Ghana

H: Belgium + Russia/S. Korea

I certainly don't see the European teams having an easy ride, I particularly think Holland and Greece are good shouts to go out and I think people are underestimating Ghana. The problem European fans have is between limited exposure to foreign teams and the official rankings being distorted by European teams getting more opportunity to beat each other, they just don't see the talents abroad - particularly as the stars from other countries are spread across all European leagues (and a few others) so noone really knows about other teams well. I don't know about Columbian players beyond Falcao.

[pink_triangle]

I suspect man utd would be willing to pay baines a lot more. It's the last big contract for him, so couldn't blame him for taking it. Also man utd have a track record of success that everton can't match. For all man utd problems, u still see them as more likely to win the league in the next 5 years than everton.

William hill think Europe will only lose England, Greece and Bosnia in the first round, I think it will be double.

[kaosmark2]

I certainly think the Northern European sides will struggle with the humidity and climate.

Holland, Belgium, England, Switzerland, Russia. Whilst certainly not as talented, teams like Nigeria will love this and may flourish. A lot of people, i.e. Europeans like you said, are a bit naive when it comes to other nations, I've said Colombia will be a very dangerous team in this WC, Armero, Zuniga and Zapata will be solid at the back, Martinez, Guirin, Aguillar, Rodriguez and Cuadrado are all excellent players, then you have Falcao. They'll be a lot more dangerous that Uruguay imho. it'd be very interesting if one was to finish runners up, as they'll most likely face each other in the 2nd round.

Again, I have no idea about African football, so other than the fact Ghana have been dangerous in the last few World Cups, and Ivory Coast having some top players, i couldn't access their chances.

[kaosmark2]

William hill think Europe will only lose England, Greece and Bosnia in the first round, I think it will be double.

[strummer77]

It's very much you

[Bobs]

I think the sides who don't pass the ball and press hard will tire easily as well. Greece may be hot but their game still won't suit the climate. Belgium and Russia's group is fairly easy, so I'd be surprised if neither of them get out of that. I think Uruguay in many ways have an easier group than Columbia, because while Italy and England are big nations, they'll struggle with the climate and will attempt to control the game and attack leaving opportunities in behind. Columbia by contrast have Africa's best team keen to prove themselves now they've finally got a group without 2 top teams, Japan who always get written off but tend to threaten and get points off big nations each year and Greece won't be pushovers even if they're dull.

I really like African football, I tend to watch ACoN every time it's on. Nigeria aren't great - they made a strong and desperate call to get Shola Ameobi in the last year! Ghana have some serious talent and are always competitive, and Ivory Coast have a spine of great players through their team, with pace on the wings. although this will be the last world cup for a lot of their big names (Drogba being the main example).

I genuinely don't see Baines being worth that much. I know fans like to ask the question "why would they leave to got to a team out of form", but between money, the recent history and the fanbase, it'd still be an easy choice - particularly at 29, Everton are less likely to get a trophy before he retires.

[kaosmark2]

Generally agree with you about the World Cup there, I've got a few different predictions, but agree with the overall trends.

As for Baines, i'd probably feel inclined to agree. But the circumstances are that he's a blue. I understand where you are coming from with the Big Club lure, but as an Everton fan for nearly 20 years now, i can firmly say Moyes, is not the man to do that in Manchester. That's what would be running through my mind, but if he was to leave, then that'd change significantly.

But £14-16m would be enough to make me say, yeah, okay, lets cash in.